Thailand is one of the top travel destinations for people from around the globe. For Indian travelers, it is particularly appealing as it’s a quick getaway that doesn’t require a visa and has short flight times. Many airlines provide direct flights to popular locations like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, making it a favored choice among Indians. With the exchange rate at 1 Thai Baht equaling approximately 2.73 INR, Thailand is also considered an affordable travel option. And now, if you’re planning a trip to Thailand soon, here’s an important update: the country is set to introduce a tourist tax of 300 Baht.
This initiative, announced by the new Tourism and Sports Minister, Atthakorn Sirilatthayakor, aims to enhance traveler safety, as well as to improve infrastructure and tourism services in the country.
The Thailand tourist tax, which has been discussed since 2019 and officially approved in 2023, may soon be implemented under the new government. The government plans to enforce it within the first four months of its term. This tax will apply to all foreign visitors arriving by air, land, or sea. The proposed fee could be standardized at 300 baht, changing from earlier suggestions of 150 baht for land and sea arrivals.
Thailand Tourist Tax Will Tackle Over-Tourism
A key feature of this tax is that it will provide all foreign visitors with automatic insurance coverage funded by the tax revenue. The remaining funds will be used for enhancing tourism infrastructure, emergency services, and visitor welfare. The government believes that clear communication about how these funds will be used is important for gaining support from international tourists.
The government aims to integrate the tax into existing systems, possibly through the Digital Arrival Card, to streamline payments. There will likely be exemptions for diplomats, long-term residents, and Thai citizens will not need to pay the tax.
This tourist tax aims to address the issue of overtourism and will make Thailand one of the few countries to implement such a measure. While the fee is not significant, only time will reveal how this policy will affect the tourism sector in Thailand.
Which Countries Have Tourist Taxes
- Bhutan: Charges a Sustainable Development Fee for each visitor per day.
- Bulgaria: Imposes a small overnight fee, around €1.50, depending on the hotel and location.
- Caribbean Islands (e.g. Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas): Various tourist taxes or fees, which differ by island.
- Croatia: Implements a nightly tourist tax, higher during peak seasons.
- France: Levies a “taxe de séjour” as part of accommodation bills, with rates varying by city and hotel category.
- Greece: Charges a tourist tax based on hotel rating and number of rooms.
- Japan: Charges a flat departure tax for each traveler leaving the country.
- Malaysia: Imposes a nightly tourist tax for stays in registered accommodation.
Several other countries also impose similar taxes.
